If the R-44 is set to record 4 analog inputs (not recording the digital in), will it still sync it's clock to a SPDIF stream reaching it's digital input which is running at the same nominal sampling rate?

There is, but there is no menu switch. The R-44 automatically senses the clock rate of an incoming SPDIF stream. If that SPDIF stream does not match the clock rate the R-44 is set to in the record menu, the sampling rate indicator on the R-44 display will blink, indicating that the clock-sync is not locked.

The sampling rate indicator on the display will either be steadily illuminated, indicating one of these two conditions..1) no SPDIF input, using the internal clock - OR -2) sync established to the SPDIF input (only possible when the R44 record/menu selection has been set to the same clock rate)

Or it will blink, indicating that it senses an external SPDIF stream but is not locked to it for whatever reason and is using the internal clock.

I can confirm that blinking/non-blinking sample rate indicator behavior on the display. It is my assumption (the part in bold above) that clock-sync is positively established when there is an active SPDIF connection and the indicator is not-blinking. However, I've not examined files to confirm that conclusively, nor actually used the deck that way.

That's why I asked for actual confirmation of that a few posts above. If so it is simplest way to provide clock-sync without sacrificing two channels to record the SPDIF input.

"Don't ever take an all or nothing attitude when it comes to making a differenceand being beautiful and making the world a beautiful place through your actions. Every little bit is registered. Every little bit. So be as beautiful as you can as often as you can"

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OK, I am so tired of just coming here with stupid questions and problems.

(sigh)

But I survived the summer taping extravaganza, and the end result is: i seem to have fried the battery plug on my R44.

It works with batteries now, but does not accept the any input from the dvd cable or the power plug.Tried a factory reset, but wasn't willing to risk much more than that.I'm guessing that has happened to more than one person here, so I figure someone can tell me what I've done and what its going to cost me.

^^ I have heard of this happening but only a few times at most and reported somewhere in the vastness of these R-44 threads. IIRC, there is a tiny fuse on the board at the AC input that will blow if over-pushed on voltage to protect the rest of the electronics. I recall someone posting a picture of the innards here and I believe it was DigiGal who spotted/diagnosed it. Unless I'm mistaken and somebody on these boards can fix it, I think you have to send it to Edirol/Roland to get taken care of. No idea what the cost is.

This is a pretty hearty deck so it's a very rare occurrence when it happens. Were you using an external battery to power the R-44 or wall power?